August 23, 2006

Telomere repair treatments near (2-5 years)

Chromosomal telomere repair treatment is near. Ultimately this could produce new ways to reverse aging in tissues and organs, and new treatments that may one day cure or even eradicate cancer. The hope of treatments for such age-related diseases as macular degeneration, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, cirrhosis and
Progeria is right around the corner.

Commercially, telomere therapy has been successfully used to extend the
life span of cell cultures used in producing pharmaceuticals, growing
artificial corneas, and accelerating the healing process in skin grafts.
Sarad predicts cosmetic use of telomere therapy could be available within
two years, and may not require FDA approval. Other uses of telomere
therapy, as developed by Telomolecular, include regeneration of damaged
muscle and bone, accelerating wound healing, treating trauma disorders such
as strokes, growing replacement organs, and preventing cancer development
during stem cell therapy.
Treating macular degeneration, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis and
cancer is a lengthy process taking months or years of therapy, often
unsuccessful. But with advancements in nanotechnology and molecular biology
such as those achieved at Telomolecular, it's conceivable that treatment of
these diseases may soon involve only a single, routine outpatient visit to
a hospital or clinic. And shortly after that, preventative treatments may
eliminate those diseases completely.